Fourth of July celebration planned

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By Matt Durr

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Matt Durr

Posted Jul. 1, 2013 at 8:45 AM

By Matt Durr

Posted Jul. 1, 2013 at 8:45 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

mdurr@hillsdale.net

HILLSDALE — The annual Fourth of July celebration in the city of Hillsdale will take place this year on July 3, a day before the actual national holiday. Starting with The Great American Parade and concluding with the All American Celebration featuring events at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, the yearly tradition is looked forward to by many in the community.

The parade starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday, but registration begins at 2 p.m. in the Midtown parking lot area. Registration is not required prior to July 3 and those interested in participating can do so the day of the event.

“Its always a surprise and we don't really do a lot of pre-registration,” said Aimee England an organizer of the parade.

Participating in the parade will be numerous floats, classic cars, walkers and children on their bikes. A special bike decoration will be held prior to the parade where kids can decorate their bikes before going out on the route.

England said there have been talks of a couple special guests joining the parade this year including the dragon from the Sauk Theatre's production of “Shrek.”

After the parade, the All American Celebration will take place at the fairground starting at 5 p.m. Children's events include face painting, pony rides and a bouncy house. Live music will be performed during the event featuring Legend the Band and The Dale Vaughn Band. When the sky turns dark, the fireworks celebration will begin.

“It's great that we can do this for the community and we wouldn't be able to do it without a lot of great community support,” England said.

Hillsdale City Police have released the traffic control order for the parade, reminding residents and attendees which street will be off limits and closed during the festivities.

From 1-5 p.m. the following streets will be closed:

* Howell Street from North Street to Sharp Street

* Sharp Street from alley east of Howell Street to alley west of Manning and Sharp to include Sharp Street between South Manning and South Howell Street

* Manning Street from Carleton Street to Sharp Street

* North Street from West Street to Howell Street

* McCollum Street from West Street to Broad Street

* East Bacon Street from West Street to Broad Street

* Waldron from West Street to Budlong Street

* Barry from West Street to the alley west of Budlong on Barry Street

* South Street from the alley west of Manning along South Street to the alley east of Howell Street on South Street

* Midtown alley from North Street to Waldron Street

* Alley of west of the library from East Bacon Street to McCollum Street

From 1-5 p.m. there will be no pakring on the following streets:

Page 2 of 2 - * Howell Street between North and Sharp Streets

* Sharp Street between South Manning and South Howell Street

* Manning Street between Carleton Road and Sharp Street

* North Street between West and Howell Streets

* Midtown alley between North and Waldron Streets

* The alley west of the library between East Bacon and McCollum Streets

The following parking lots are closed from 1-5 p.m.

* Elk's Lodge, First United Methodist Church, South Library Lot and Midtown Lot